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Ask the Experts: The lawyer

In 1998 we bought a converted farm building through an estate agent. It was marketed as a four-bedroom house. We had a survey done which revealed nothing untoward, and our solicitor did the conveyancing. As we were advised that all was in order we proceeded with the purchase. In April last year, we put the property on the market. A buyer had surveys carried out and found that our four-bedroom home was in fact granted permission as a three-bedroom conversion only, so he walked away.

We have seen a planning office certificate that confirms this. Why did our solicitor not point this out? And how was it able to be put on the market as a four-bedroom property if there was no planning permission for this?

RL, Co Wexford

The standard Law Society contract for sale contains a specific warranty that all planning permissions have been obtained, and that building